The Contention 33 represents a pivotal moment in the 1970s yachting scene, where the raw speed of offshore racing began to merge with the structural integrity required for serious cruising. Designed by the legendary Doug Peterson and built by Southern Ocean Shipyard (SOS) in Poole, England, the vessel is a production evolution of the 1976 One Ton Cup winner. While many IOR (International Offshore Rule) designs of this era were criticized for being "twitchy" or difficult to handle, the Contention 33 earned a reputation for a more balanced hull form that remains a favorite among "performance-cruiser" enthusiasts today. Southern Ocean Shipyard utilized their expertise in high-standard GRP construction to turn a championship-winning pedigree into a robust, sea-kindly vessel capable of crossing oceans.
Peterson Contention 33 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Peterson
- Model
- Contention 33
- Builder
- Southern Ocean Ltd
- Designer
- Doug Peterson
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1976 - ??
Below are the most recent Peterson Contention 33 sailboat listings (up to 10).
Standard listing sites miss the technical details sailors need. Our database of 10,000+ models unlocks advanced filtering so you can search by keel type, rig configuration, and performance ratios—even when the seller forgot to include them.
Search across multiple sailboat listing websites at once, and get notified of new listings!
Example: Daily emails for "40 ft fin keel fractional sloops under $200k in Canada"Start Searching Now
| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | 1 | $18,936 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contessa 32 | 32' | $39,233 | 44 | 24 |
| C&C 34 | 33.5' | $20,995 | 17 | 1 |
| C&C 35-3 | 34.67' | $29,900 | 14 | 2 |
| Carter 33 | 32.58' | $32,986 | 9 | 5 |
| Contest 33 | 32.25' | $22,735 | 9 | 6 |
| Contessa Ood 34 | 33.67' | $20,288 | 8 | 4 |
| Ranger 33 | 33.17' | $8,950 | 5 | 1 |
| C&C 40-2 | 39.58' | $36,198 | 4 | 0 |
| Abbott 33 | 33.29' | $18,450 | 4 | 3 |
| Peterson Contention 33 | $18,936 | 1 | 1 | |
| Charger 33 | 32.97' | $13,601 | 1 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $18,936 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Peterson Contention 33 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Peterson Contention 33 over the past 12 months is $18,936. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Peterson Contention 33 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 1 Peterson Contention 33 listings over the past 12 months, with 1 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Peterson Contention 33 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Peterson Contention 33 has remained stable over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Peterson Contention 33?
- Comparable models include the Contessa 32, C&C 34, C&C 35-3. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.